In 2004 and 2005, Bombardier delivered a batch of 20 electrics to the national railways of Luxembourg (CFL) which represent a unique mingle of a freight and passenger locomotive. It shows the diversity made possible by a modular construction. At that time, most Traxx locomotives built were specifically designed for passenger or freight service, and not a combination of both. For passenger the 160 kph P160AC1 version was preferred, while freight machines, F140AC1, all had a much simpler propulsion system. The CFL wanted machines for only a top speed of 140 kph, but will all add-ons required or desired for passenger services in combination with double deck coaches. The result is a machine, we called P140AC1, additionally homologated for Germany, so that the bicourant capabilities of these machines can be fully exploited. 20 machines painted in Bordeaux red and grey, decorated with large white and red service numbers. As planned, they are used for all different CFL services, and are also hired to CFL Cargo, that can make optimal use of the approval for Germany for its border crossing freight services.

This afternoon, CFL 4012 crashed onto a construction vehicle in Manternach, on the line Luxemburg - Trier. A slowly driving working platform, radio controlled, was on a level crossing when it was caught by a train. The locomotive driver has light injuries. Images can be found here.

2014-11-17

[LU] CFL 4019 is ETCS test bed locomotive

update 2014|11|17

[LU] CFL 4019 is ETCS test bed locomotive

CFL locomotive no. 4019 has not been used recently and had been sat on Luxembourg Depot. The locomotive is the test bed for ETCS and due to having a different software has been restricted to CFL lines. - ID

2012-12-16

[LU] CFL 4019 ETCS test bed locomotive

update 2012|12|16

[LU] CFL 4019 ETCS test bed locomotive

CFL 4019 is the ETCS test bed engine of its series. All conventional detection systems on the locomotive are removed. The locomotive can therefore only run in Luxembourg. - YG

2012-11-21

[LU] Update on the CFL (Cargo) 4000 series

update 2012|11|21

[LU] Update on the CFL (Cargo) 4000 series

The CFL 4000 series locomotives often change their appearance. The railways of Luxembourg are really successful in exploiting their locomotives for advertisements en promotion. Some nice examples of these machines with special liveries of the past months. For example, the recovered 4016 now promotes a museum.
In the meantime, CFL Cargo is applying its logos on the machines they are operating. Next to no.4011 now also unit 4012 has CFL Cargo logos. - YG

2012-09-25

[LU] CFL 4011 with CFL Cargo logos [edit]

update 2012|09|25

[LU] CFL 4011 with CFL Cargo logos [edit]

CFL 4011 received a new livery, as well as new logos. CFL Cargo logos. Edit: the 4011 can serve with passenger coaches very well. It did, since its return from repair after fire damage in Dessau. Only, it is assigned to freight services at this moment, together with 4001, 4005, 4012 and 4013. If information can be improved, please let us know. We are always eager to learn! - YG / ID

2012-06-26

[LU] CFL 4016 back in Luxembourg

update 2012|06|26

[LU] CFL 4016 back in Luxembourg

CFL 4016 is back in Luxembourg. After its arrival on the 23th of june 2012, it performed its first test ride under the local 25kV catenary today. The test took place between Luxembourg-City depot and the Southern station of Bettembourg. On the ride southbound, CFL 4016 was pushing the 5 car setup, to later pull it back to Luxembourg-City. - YG

Yesterday, the freshly painted CFL 4016 was seen in Melsungen (DE). On 29.06.2010, this locomotive crashed onto a truck on a road crossing in Lintgen (LU). One cabin was completely destroyed.

During the past year, the locomotive was restored in Kassel, at the services department. The locomotive got one new cabin, built onto the old frame.

2009-09-13

[DE] Open door day in Dessau

update 2009|09|13

[DE] Open door day in Dessau

Today, the work shops of Dessau, one of the most important in Germany, had an open door day. Some impressions here!

Concerning modern electrics, many interestings locomotives were listed;
-> Because of the crisis, many DB Schenker electrics are taken out of service. This also concerns modern locomotives of the 152 and 185 series, when they are due for an overhaul. In Dessau, 185 007, 008, 011, 012, 014, 015, 016, 019 and 041 are stabled, waiting for more prosperous times.
-> Next to that, several DB Schenker machines are stored in Dessau after an accident, for example 152 108, 185 050, 185 112, 185 121 and 185 345. They were only working on repairing 152 108.
-> The economical crisis also effects the market for leasing and hiring locomotives. In Dessau several unemployed lease-locomotives can be found; ATC 145 097, ATC 145 098, ATC 185-CL 008, ATC 185-CL 009, ATC 185 515-4, and ATC 185 520-4.

As the Luxembourgish railways suffered from a traction shortage right away, and would take at least another year and a half before the new 4000 series locomotives would be delivered, also a short term solution had to be found. It was decided to contact Angel Trains Cargo leasing that could get 6 new Traxx locomotives on a very short notice. In the Spring of 2003 then 6 blue and silver machines, equipped with two extra pantographs and the necessary systems on board, came to Luxembourg, to be used for both freight and passenger services. After almost two year of service they were returned to ATC in the Spring of 2005, but not all were able to fully detach form Luxembourg. 185 523 is still in service for CFL Cargo for example.

CFL 4000 units are populair when it comes to promotion. Since their delivery, the majority has been decorated with promotional or commercial vynils. Railcolor does not provide a complete overview here, just search trough the different units in the list to see what every machines has been promoting up till now.

CFL Traxx AC1: Select your Locomotive:

And then there are the real CFL machines of course! Many drawings are presents as the CFL frequently uses the 4000 serie for charity, promoting diverse campains and for commercial advertisement. Naturally, several machines are then decorated with corresponding, colourful adhesives.